Candle Safety
 
 
Candles are available in nearly every size, shape, color, and aroma.  The candle industry has had a steady growth of 10-15% annually, which now reaches $2.3 billion in sales a year.
Maintenance & Care
A candle that is not properly maintained can get build-up on the wick (mushrooming), causing it to emit dark smoke or soot on the ceiling, walls, and furniture.
  • Keep the wick trimmed 1/4".
  • Never leave wick trimmings, matches, or other things in the candle.
  • Never burn candles that have flammable items imbedded in them.
  • Burn 1 hour for each inch in diameter at a time. (Example: 4" diameter = 4 hours of burning)
  • Never allow flames to touch the sides of the container.
  • Never burn a candle in a drafty area.
Allow Candles To Cool Before:
  • Handling or moving them.
  • Trimming the wick.
  • Relighting them.
  • Placing the lid back on top.
Extinguish Safely
Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.  To prevent hot wax from splattering, extinguish a candle by:
  • Using a candle snuffer.
  • Holding fingers in front of the flame and blowing softly.
Never burn a candle completely down to the bottom.
  • Taper an pillar candles should only burn down to within 2" from the bottom.
  • Votives and container candles should be extinguished before the last 1/2" of wax melts.
Do's & Don'ts
  • Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children.
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.
  • Supervise children around all candles at all times (including all holiday candles).
  • Never allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
  • Keep candles away from any pets.
  • Avoid walking with any lit candles.
Safe Placement
  • Never use candles in areas where they could be knocked over by children and pets.
  • Never place lit candles in windows with blinds or curtains.
  • Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
Keep lit candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn including:
Curtains
Clothing
Walls
Books
Cabinets
Paper
Upholstered Furniture
Christmas Trees
Mattresses/Bedding
Flammable Decorations
Candleholders should:
  • Fit securely and not tip over.
  • Be non-flammable, made from metal, glass, or ceramic.
  • Be large enough to collect dripping wax.
  • Be placed on a sturdy and level heat-resistant surface in uncluttered areas.
In An Emergency
Never use a candle:
  • To search for an item in a confined space.
  • For light when checking pilot lights.
  • For temporary lighting in power outages, use a flashlight instead.
Lead Exposure
According to the U.S. Costumer Product Safety Commission, only 3% of all burning candles may be omitting unsafe levels of lead.  To determine if your candles are dangerous:
  • Inspect the wick of your candle to see if it contains a metal wire center.
  • Contact the candles manufacturer.
  • If your candle contains the wire, avoid burning it.